wis

Etymology 1

From Middle English wis (“certain, sure”), from an aphetic form of Middle English iwis, ywis (“certain, sure”) (from Old English ġewiss (“certain, sure”)), or of North Germanic origin, akin to Icelandic viss (“certain”). Ultimately from Proto-Germanic *gawissaz. More at iwis.

adv

  1. (rare, obsolete or dialectal) Certainly, surely.
    So I wis would the Dragon under him […] 1884, Charlotte Mary Yonge, The armourer's prentices
  2. (rare, obsolete or dialectal) Really, truly.
  3. (rare, obsolete or dialectal) Indeed.
    As wis God help me. c. 1368-1372, Geoffrey Chaucer, The Book of the Duchess

adj

  1. (rare, obsolete or dialectal) Certain.
  2. (rare, obsolete or dialectal) Sure.
    He was wis on his word.
    I am wis that it will happen.

Etymology 2

From an incorrect division, mistaking iwis (“certain”) for I wis (“I know”). See ywis for more information. The German verb wissen may appear similar, but in fact corresponds etymologically to the English verb wit; both of those verbs ultimately descend from the same Proto-Indo-European root as this one.

verb

  1. (obsolete or archaic) To know.
  2. (obsolete or archaic) To think, suppose.
  3. (obsolete or archaic) To imagine, ween; to deem.

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